The bed can be set up in a few minutes 

 and shelters the tourist from wind and rain 



An Automobile- Bed for the Tourist 



THE delightful independence of tour- 

 ing in an automobile can be 

 improved upon by means of an auto- 

 mobile-bed. Wherever nightfall over- 

 takes the traveler, he can make up his 

 own cot and sleep in his own tent, 

 completely sheltered from wind and rain 

 and with no expense for a hotel room. 



The metal frame of the bed is jointed 

 in the middle; and a leg is attached at 

 this point on either side. A cross-bar 

 connects the legs, so that they will 

 swing together when the bed is being 

 folded up. One end of the frame pivots 

 on a shaft secured to the side bars of 

 the automobile, as shown in the illustra- 

 tions. The two outer legs are pivoted 

 to the frame. 



When not in use, the legs are swung 

 up against the frame; the outer half of 

 the frame is folded over the inner half, 

 or foot of the bed ; and the whole lifted 

 to an upright position against the beck 

 of the tonneau. Small ratchet wheels at 

 each of the joints are provided for 

 holding the legs in position and also for 

 locking the entire frame when folded up. 

 A light metal framework is provided to 

 be set up over the bed. Curtains are 

 stretched over the frame to form a sort 

 of box-tent, as shown in the illustration. 



Some Ingenious 

 For the 



A New Ford Folding Bed 



AN entire bed equipment which 

 L weighs but fourteen pounds, and 

 which may be folded and packed away, 

 with the exception of blankets and com- 

 forters, in a tool box, is the latest thing 

 devised for Ford owners who wish to 

 avoid hotel bills. The equipment in- 

 cludes a piece of strong canvas, two poles 

 or iron bars for spreaders, one for the 

 foot and the other for the head; four 

 half-inch iron rods for supports leading 

 from the car-top supports to the four 

 corners of the canvas mattress, and four 

 ordinary straps with buckles. 



No changes need be made in the car 

 other than to put two brass or iron 

 rings in the dash to which the front 

 straps are fastened. The half-inch rods 

 resting at opposite angles on the car-top 

 supports hold the canvas mattress above 

 the seat tops, thus giving ample room 

 beneath for "lower berths" for the chil- 

 dren, while the straps running from the 

 four corners of the mattress to rings in 

 the dash and rings in the rear are 

 buckled taut to keep the mattress from 

 sagging. The bed is more rigid, due to 

 this method of securing it, and it will 



This car may be truly nicknamed "The 

 Flying Bedstead" 



easily support two grown persons. 



With or without a tent the bed equip- 

 ment comes in handy on touring trips. 

 For instance, it may be used as a loung- 

 ing hammock by attaching short ends 

 of rope at either end of the canvas bot- 

 tom, or it may be used as a table-cloth. 



870 



